▶ Strengthening cooperation with global tech companies, including Palantir Technologies Inc. and Siemens ▶ Building the Future of Shipyard (FOS) by 2030 which aims to minimize human intervention "We are drawing on the latest innovation in AI (artificial intelligence), digital twin, and so much more to transform our shipyards.” HD Hyundai Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun emphasized his commitment to building an integrated, optimized, and automated future shipyard that minimizes human intervention, highlighting the company’s intention to actively leverage technologies from global tech companies. To achieve this, HD Hyundai is strengthening its cooperation with global leaders, including Palantir, a software company that enables AI-driven decision making, and Siemens, a global industrial solutions provider. Recently, Palantir released a promotional video on its official YouTube channel on the 26th showcasing its partnership with HD Hyundai to help digitally transform their shipyards. This video is a full version of what was shown at Palantir's booth during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 (Davos Forum) in Davos, Switzerland this January. In the video, Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun stated “For many decades now, HD Hyundai has been leading the world’s shipbuilding industry with the most innovative technologies. Together with Palantir, (we are) drawing on the latest innovation in AI, digital twins, and so much more to transform our shipyards, unlocking a whole new level of productivity and safety.” Emile Victor, Forward Deployed Engineer of Palantir said “I believe their commitment to leveraging software for operational innovation positions them as a leader in digital transformation within the shipbuilding industry.” The video introduces the blueprint of HD Hyundai's Future of Shipyard (FOS) project, specifically demonstrating how they are applying Palantir's software platform, Foundry. FOS is an advanced shipyard project that HD Hyundai has been pursuing since 2021, integrating digital technologies such as data analytics, virtual and augmented reality, robotics, automation, and AI. This three-phase project aims for completion by 2030. Following the first phase, the “Visible Shipyard”, the project is currently in its second phase, “Connected and Predictively Optimized Shipyard.” The final phase, “Intelligent Autonomous Operating Shipyard”, ultimately aims to minimize human intervention. Upon project completion, productivity is expected to increase by 30%, while shipbuilding time will be reduced by the same rate. With AI gaining more importance, HD Hyundai is actively strengthening collaborations with global technology leaders while accelerating digital transformation across its business areas by adopting cutting-edge technologies. Last March, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang captured global attention by showcasing HD Hyundai’s Digital Shipyard and LNG Carrier in real-time using advanced graphics technology at NVIDIA GTC 2024. HD Hyundai partnered with Siemens to create a digital twin of large-scale shipyard images using NVIDIA's graphics technology. This project was highlighted as one of NVIDIA's key collaboration cases. Executive Vice Chairman Chung Kisun has consistently emphasized the importance of digital transformation and has been actively investing in future technologies. He has repeatedly stressed his commitment to "leading marine mobility technology through electrification, autonomous operation, and eco-friendly technologies while building a sustainable energy ecosystem by securing renewable resource utilization and high-efficiency green technologies." Meanwhile, HD Hyundai established its Global R&D Center in 2022, centralizing its subsidiaries' research and development capabilities around the Advanced Research Center to secure leading technologies. Following the establishment of the India Technology Center in Pune in 2019, the company opened its European R&D Center in Germany in 2022. Through collaboration with global research institutions, HD Hyundai continues to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies.  

Since the early 1900s, unmanned transportation has frequently appeared in science fiction films. While self-operating or remotely controlled mobility has long been a staple element in futuristic movies, its real-world implementation has only begun relatively recently. Global mobility companies are developing autonomous navigation and operation technologies across all modes of transportation, including automobiles, ships, and aircraft. While they all share the use of perception, judgment, and control technologies, the varying dynamics and operating environments create different levels of technical challenges. Autonomous vessels have an advantage in control compared to cars and aircraft due to their slower speed. However, external factors such as ocean currents, waves, and wind make control particularly challenging. Nevertheless, research and technological development are in full swing to enable autonomous navigation and unmanned operations across commercial vessels, leisure boats, and naval ships.   Unmanned Vessels: From Large Commercial Ships to Leisure Boats Unlike cars and aircraft that can operate with minimal crew, commercial vessels requiring 20-30 crew members need a broader range of automated navigation technologies. Avikus, HD Hyundai's specialized autonomous navigation technology subsidiary, developed the first navigation assistance system for large commercial vessels in April 2020. This system was developed based on HD Hyundai's accumulated technologies in ship control, collision avoidance, and optimal route planning. Using this autonomous navigation technology, Avikus achieved the world's first transoceanic voyage of a large vessel using autonomous navigation in June 2022. Based on this achievement, Avikus commercialized HiNAS Control, the world's first Level 2 autonomous navigation solution. Avikus's autonomous navigation technology considers waves, currents, wind, and the vessel's estimated time of arrival (ETA). It calculates and automatically implements engine speeds that minimize fuel consumption, achieving better efficiency compared to conventional constant-speed operation. For example, the system runs faster when weather conditions create less propeller load and avoid excessive speed during high-load conditions, thereby meeting arrival times while reducing fuel consumption. HiNAS Control provides core functions including fuel savings, route optimization, and collision avoidance. Using AI-based real-time data analysis and decision-making technology, it detects potential risks that human navigators might miss and suggests safe routes to maximize operational efficiency. To date, Avikus has secured orders for HiNAS Control for over 200 vessels and has implemented it in more than 20 vessels. Avikus is currently developing Level 3 autonomous navigation, aiming for remote control capability without onboard crew. The plan is to design a system that can make independent decisions in complex maritime traffic situations and various weather conditions while providing reliable responses in emergencies. HiNAS Navigation showing detected ships and navigation information in panoramic view HiNAS Surround View Monitor display screen   In September 2022, Avikus also developed NeuBoat, a Level 2 autonomous navigation solution for leisure boats. It makes boat operation accessible even to beginners. Notably, it provides an automatic docking function, addressing a common challenge faced by many boaters. Following NeuBoat, Avikus launched NeuBoat Dock in September 2023. Developed in collaboration with global marine electronics company Raymarine, NeuBoat Dock provides more precise collision avoidance and docking assistance through six multifunction displays.   NeuBoat, a Level 2 autonomous navigation solution for leisure boats developed by Avikus, won the reddot 2024 award While HiNAS Control and NeuBoat can be applied to vessels regardless of type or form, the number and placement of sensors vary depending on vessel size. Additionally, as ship dynamics differ by vessel type and form, parameter optimization through simple testing is required after system installation. Ghost Fleet: Unmanned Surface Vehicles and Underwater Vehicles From surface to underwater, unmanned maritime systems are emerging as a new strategic concept for future naval warfare. Nations worldwide aim to enhance combat effectiveness and minimize human casualties by operating Ghost Fleets—naval vessels equipped with unmanned technology. The Republic of Korea Navy is also launching unmanned vessel projects as part of its Navy Sea Ghost combat system, which integrates manned and unmanned forces to prepare for future battlefields. In this context, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries won the contract for the shipborne Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Conceptual Design Project from the Navy in March 2024. In May 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries unveiled its AI-based USV model for the first time at the AI EXPO for National Competitiveness in Washington, D.C. The USV TENEBRIS, meaning darkness in Latin, signifies its role in conducting stealthy reconnaissance missions near enemy lines. With a light displacement of 14 tons and a length of 17 meters, TENEBRIS is being jointly developed with AI software company Palantir Technologies, targeting completion by 2026. Notably, TENEBRIS will incorporate world-class advanced AI technology, including Mission Autonomy through the integration of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' autonomous navigation and vessel-integrated management system with Palantir's AI platform.   A rendering of TENEBRIS, an AI-based USV model being jointly developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and Palantir Technologies   HD Hyundai Heavy Industries is also accelerating the development of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) technology. In May 2024, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Daeyang Electric, a global industrial lighting and electronics company, for joint technology development of export-type UUVs.   Rendering of HDS-2300, a submarine developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for export UUVs perform underwater reconnaissance and surveillance, mine detection and removal, marine environmental data collection, and anti-submarine warfare missions. Currently developed UUVs are limited to restricted operations such as reconnaissance and exploration in stable maritime environments, falling short of manned submarine capabilities. Through this agreement, the goal is to develop a differentiated model leveraging accumulated technology and specific mission module development capabilities.  

▶ Conducted driving test on Daegwallyeong ramp with large trucks... Completed verification of immediate ignition start and fuel supply stability; ▶ Final verification before mass production, including high temperature of 55℃ and durability test of 100,000km; ▶ Scheduled for mass production of engines in early 2026, hydrogen engine truck launch in first half of 2027 HD Hyundai Infracore has completed verification of the durability and stability of hydrogen engine vehicles in extreme frigid temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius. On the 20th (Thursday), the company announced that it successfully completed the extreme climate test of an 11-liter hydrogen engine (HX12) in cooperation with Tata Daewoo Mobility in Daegwallyeong, Gangwon-do from the 4th to the 14th. This test is designed to evaluate how well hydrogen engine vehicles demonstrate stable performance even in frigid temperature environments, and verified immediate ignition start, stable fuel supply in the hydrogen tank, slope drivability and braking under cargo loading conditions, and charging safety. Based on the results of this test, HD Hyundai Infracore plans to conduct road driving tests with Tata Daewoo Mobility so as to improve the drivability and acceleration of hydrogen engine vehicles and measure emissions and fuel efficiency. Additionally, the final tests leading up to mass production of hydrogen engine vehicles will be conducted, such as ▲ driving in hot climate ▲ measuring slope climbing capability ▲ testing in a 55℃ high-heat chamber (laboratory environment) ▲ testing driving durability of 100,000 km. HD Hyundai Infracore will mass-produce hydrogen engines for trucks in early 2026, and supply them to Tata Daewoo Mobility. After that, it will embark on the commercialization stage, with the hydrogen engine truck to be released in the first half of 2027. This will mark the world’s first case of commercial vehicles, such as buses and trucks, being equipped with hydrogen engines. The company's hydrogen engine was developed based on the CNG (compressed natural gas) engine for commercial vehicles, making it easy to install in conventional vehicles and more economical than other power sources that require high-purity hydrogen, such as hydrogen fuel cells. In recognition of this technological prowess, it won top honors of the 'Best Product Media Award' at the H2MEET 2024 hydrogen industry exhibition held in September last year. HD Hyundai Infracore’s Jeong Wook, head of the Engine Product Development Division, said, "This frigid temperature test is an important process to verify the durability of our hydrogen engine technology," and added, "We will continue to accelerate technology development, ensuring that our hydrogen engines remain globally competitive in the eco-friendly mobility market."